Garment integrated sensing system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for monitoring biometric signals of a user comprising: a set of wireless sensor interfaces coupled to a garment, each of the wireless sensor interfaces comprising: 1) an electrode layer comprising a receiving region, 2) a positional identifier, associated with a position on the garment, and 3) a retention subsystem; a set of wireless sensor modules, each of the set of wireless sensor modules comprising: a contact region electrically coupleable to the receiving region of the electrode layer, a set of sensors configured to detect a set of biometric signal types, and a positional interrogator configured to identify the position associated with the corresponding wireless sensor interface; and a control module, communicatively coupled to the set of wireless sensor modules, wherein the control module queries a subset of the set of biometric signal types for transmission from each of the set of wireless sensor modules based on their positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/077,781 filed 10 Nov. 2014, which is incorporated in its entiretyherein by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the biometric device field, and morespecifically to a new and useful garment integrated sensing system andmethod.

BACKGROUND

Tracking biometric parameters resulting from periods of physicalactivity can provide profound insights into improving one's performanceand overall health. Historically, users have tracked their exercisebehavior by manually maintaining records of aspects of their physicalactivity, including time points, durations, and/or other metrics (e.g.,weight lifted, distance traveled, repetitions, sets, etc.) of theirexercise behavior. Exercise tracking systems and software have beenrecently developed to provide some amount of assistance to a userinterested in tracking his/her exercise behavior; however, such systemsand methods still suffer from a number of drawbacks. In particular, manysystems require a significant amount of effort from the user (e.g.,systems rely upon user input prior to and/or after a period of physicalactivity), capture insufficient data (e.g., pedometers that estimatedistance traveled, but provide little insight into an amount of physicalexertion of the user), provide irrelevant information to a user, and areincapable of detecting body-responses to physical activity at aresolution sufficient to provide the user with a high degree of bodyawareness. Other limitations of conventional biometric monitoringdevices include one or more of: involvement of single-use electrodes,involvement of electrodes that have limited reusability, involvement ofa single electrode targeting a single body location, involvement of aprofessional for electrode placement, use of adhesives for electrodeplacement, electrode configurations that result in user discomfort(e.g., strap-based systems), use of electrode configurations that areunsuited to motion-intensive activities of the user, use of wiredsystems that constrain mobility, and other deficiencies.

Furthermore, integration of biometric tracking systems into garmentsworn by a user is particularly challenging. Challenges include: couplingconductors to garments in a manner that still allows the garment to moveand stretch with motion of the user; preventing a conducting fluid(e.g., sweat) from shorting various conductors coupled to a garment;creating an assembly that can be washed and reused without compromisingthe circuitry and processors through which the system operates; routingsignal conduction pathways across seams of a garment; accommodating ahigh connection density; customizing garment fit to a user; transmittingsignals acquired by way of the garment to a processing system; having asystem that has an expandable number of sensors that are easilyinterchangeable; mitigating noise resulting from friction between fabriclayers and signal conduction pathways and other sources; and designingfor aesthetics, scalability, and maintaining electrode-skin contactduring use by a user.

There is thus a need in the biometric device field to create a new anduseful garment integrated sensing system and method. This inventionprovides such a new and useful system and method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system formonitoring biometric signals of a user;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a sensorinterface of a system for monitoring biometric signals of a user;

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a sensor moduleof a system for monitoring biometric signals of a user;

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a control moduleof a system for monitoring biometric signals of a user;

FIG. 5 depicts a specific example of a configuration of a system formonitoring biometric signals of a user;

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a system for monitoring biometricsignals of a user, indicating communication pathways;

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a system for monitoring biometricsignals of a user, comprising a plurality of sensor modules, sensorinterfaces, and control modules;

FIGS. 8A-8C depict different example configurations of contacts andelectrode layers in embodiments of a system for monitoring biometricsignals of a user;

FIG. 9 depicts front and back views of an example embodiment of a systemfor monitoring biometric signals of a user;

FIG. 10A depicts a specific example configuration of a sensor module ofa system for monitoring biometric signals of a user;

FIG. 10B depicts a specific example configuration of a sensor interfaceof a system for monitoring biometric signals of a user; and

FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of a method for monitoring biometricsignals of a user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionis not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments,but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use thisinvention.

1. System

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a system 100 forgarment-integrated biometric sensing includes: one or more wirelesssensor interfaces 110 integrated with a garment 400, wherein a wirelesssensor interface includes an electrode layer 112, a positionalidentifier 116, and a retention subsystem 118; one or more wirelesssensor modules 120, removably coupled to a corresponding wireless sensorinterface 110, wherein a wireless sensor module includes a contactregion 122, one or more sensors 124, and a positional interrogator 125;and a control module 130 communicatively coupled to the one or morewireless sensor modules 120. As described in more detail below, one ormore variations of the system 100 can omit one or more of the aboveelements, in providing a suitable garment-integrated biometric sensingsystem.

The system 100 functions to facilitate the collection of biometricsignals from a user wearing the garment 400, wherein the biometricsignals can be detected from a user who is performing some type ofactivity (e.g., physical activity, etc.) and subsequently processed toprovide information to the user in substantially near real time, suchthat the user can gain insights into how to maintain or improveperformance of the activity in a beneficial manner. The system 100 canadditionally or alternatively function to provide a modular andadjustable set of available biometric signals for analysis, network aset of wireless sensor modules 120 together through the use of a controlmodule 130, provide secure retention locations for coupling a set ofwireless sensor modules 120 and/or a control module 130 to the garment400 by way of the wireless sensor interface(s) 110, determine theavailable set of biometric signals based on the location(s) of thewireless sensor module(s) 120 with respect to the garment 400, anddynamically adjust the set of available biometric signals based oncollected and/or recorded biometric signals from the set of wirelesssensor modules 120. As such, the system 100 can be used to measurebiometric signals (or other signals) of the user in a flexible, dynamic,automatic, and expandable manner, as well as with improved comfort andfit, improved appearance compared to conventional options, and withimproved integration between the wireless sensor module(s) 120 and/orthe control module 130 and the garment.

As such, the system 100 can be configured for one or more of thefollowing: providing a universal garment-integrated biometric monitoringsystem that is compatible with various types of garments 400, where eachtype of garment 400 supports measurement of a subset of biometricsignals detectable from the entire body of the user (e.g., it isdifficult to measure signals originating from biceps or triceps muscleswith a tank top garment); locating wireless sensor modules 120 close tothe point of measurement of the biometric signal, while avoiding noiseoriginating from movement of the conductive path in the garment betweenthe measurement location and the control module 130; and providingsingle removable wireless sensor modules that can be purchasedindividually and/or in sets for different measurement applications,allowing the cost of the system 100 to scale according to the desiredapplication of the user (e.g., an upper-body heart rate measurement kitcontaining a garment 400 and one wireless sensor module 120, alower-body heart rate kit containing a garment 400 and two wirelesssensor modules 120, etc.).

In variations, the system 100 is configured to facilitate transmissionof detected bioelectrical signals generated at multiple body regions ofa user who is exercising (e.g., performing aerobic exercise, performinganaerobic exercise), wherein a plurality of wireless sensor interfaces110 of the system 100 can be positioned at multiple body regions of theuser, in order to generate a holistic representation of one or morebiometric parameters relevant to activity of the user. As used herein, a“biometric signal”, “bioelectrical signal”, or “biometric” means anyvalue, measurement, or score related to a human body signal. A biometricsignal, for instance, may include a value, measurement, data, or scoreassociated with movement, heart rate, respiration, muscle activity, orother biometric measurement. For example, a biometric signal can referspecifically to a heart rate measurement (e.g., beats per minute) asdetermined by a processing device based on a bioelectric signal (e.g.,biopotential electrocardiograph signal). Alternatively, a biometricsignal can refer to a measurement of movement (e.g., distance traveled,acceleration, jerk, etc.), respiration measurement (e.g., breath perminute, length of breaths, regularity of breath), muscle activity (e.g.,muscle exertion, muscle balance), or other value, measurement, or scoreassociated with movement, heart rate, respiration, and/or muscleactivity. Bioelectrical signals transmittable by the system 100 canadditionally include one or more of: electromyography (EMG) signals,electrocardiography (ECG) signals, electroencephalograph (EEG) signals,galvanic skin response (GSR), bioelectrical impedance (BIA), and anyother suitable bioelectrical signal of the user. The system 100 can,however, be configured to transmit any other suitable biosignal data ofthe user, including one or more of: motion data (e.g., velocity data,acceleration data, jerk data, vibration data, etc.), location data, skintemperature data, environmental data (e.g., ambient temperature data,light data, imaging data, etc.), and any other suitable data.Additionally or alternatively, the system 100 can be configured totransmit any other suitable type of signal, including one or more of:audio signals, communication signals, human produced signals, deviceproduced signals, and any other type of signal that can be transferredthrough a conductive medium or wirelessly.

Preferably, the system 100 is configured to be integrated with a garment400 worn by a user during a period of physical activity, as described inU.S. application Ser. No. 14/541,446, entitled “System and Method forMonitoring Biometric Signals” and filed on 14 Nov. 2014, U.S.application Ser. No. 14/079,629, entitled “Wearable Architecture andMethods for Performance Monitoring, Analysis, and Feedback” and filed on13 Nov. 2013, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/079,621, entitled “WearablePerformance Monitoring, Analysis, and Feedback Systems and Methods” andfiled on 30 Jan. 2014, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/699,730, entitled“Biometric Electrode System and Method of Manufacture” and filed on 29Apr. 2015, and U.S. application Ser. No. 14/724,420, entitled “BiometricSignal Conduction System and Method of Manufacture” and filed on 17 Jun.2015, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by thisreference. As such, portions of the system 100 are preferably configuredto provide a liquid-tight interface (e.g., by way of a seal) betweenconductive components of the garment 400 and conductive portions of thewireless sensor interface(s) 110, the wireless sensor module(s) 120,and/or the control module 130, upon coupling of the wireless sensormodule(s) 120 to the wireless sensor interface(s) 110 and/or coupling ofthe control module 130 to the garment 400, such that sweat or waterwhich may be intermingled with the fabric(s) of the garment cannotpenetrate the system 100 and interfere with sensitive portions (e.g.,conductive leads) of the system 100 during use. Even further, inrelation to integration with a garment 400, the wireless sensorinterface(s) 110 is/are preferably configured to be washable (i.e.,hand-washable, machine washable, etc.), to be sweat-proof, to sustainstretching of the integrated fabric, to be scalable (e.g., in terms ofsize, in terms of volume of manufacture, etc.), to be low-maintenance,and to function properly and in a robust manner in relation to seams ofthe garment. Furthermore, the system 100 is preferably configured to beincorporated into a garment independent of the nature of the particulargarment (e.g., underwear, outerwear, loose-fitting, tight-fitting,synthetic material, natural material, or any other characteristicsparticular to various suitable garments).

The system 100 is preferably configured to be used by a user who is awayfrom a research or clinical setting, such that the user is interfacingwith a portion of the system 100 while he or she undergoes periods ofphysical activity in a natural, non-clinical setting (e.g., at a gym,outdoors, etc.). The system 100 can additionally or alternatively beconfigured to be operated by a user who is in a research setting, aclinical setting, or any other suitable setting for the collection ofbiometric data.

The system 100 is preferably configured such that communication betweenthe wireless sensor modules 120 and the control module 130 is wireless,but in some variations, all or part of the communication between theseand other elements of the system 100 can occur via wired communication.As such, in some variations of the system 100, the wireless sensormodules 120 may not be “wireless”, and/or the wireless sensor interfaces110 may not be “wireless”.

1.1 System—Supporting Elements

As noted above and as shown in FIG. 9, the system 100 can be integratedwith a wearable garment 400. Portions of the system 100 can be affixedto the garment 400 (e.g., using a set of screws, rivets, pins,adhesives, sewing, etc.); However, the system 100 can additionally oralternatively provide coupling between electronic components and/or tothe garment 400 by way of one or more of: crimp connectors, snapconnectors, stitching, a chemical bond, and any other suitable couplingagent.

The garment 400 is preferably composed of a form-fitting and washablematerial that is configured to be worn on at least a portion of a user'sbody. In one variation, portions of the system 100 can be coupled to theexterior of the garment 400, to an inner lining of the garment 400, beremovably coupled with respect to any suitable portion of the garment400, or traverse a portion of the garment. Coupling between portions ofthe system 100 and the garment 400 can be permanent (e.g., by way ofheat binding, by way of gluing, by way of stitching, etc.) ornon-permanent (e.g., by using Velcro™, by using fasteners, by usingbuttons, by using a light adhesive, etc.). The garment 400 can thusinclude a stretchable and/or compressive fabric comprising naturaland/or synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, lycra, polyester, spandex, etc.)to promote coupling (i.e., electrical coupling, mechanical coupling)and/or reduce motion artifacts that could otherwise result from relativemotion between the skin of the user and the system 100.

In examples, the garment 400 can include any one or more of: a top(e.g., shirt, jacket, tank top, bra etc.), bottom (e.g., shorts, pants,capris etc.), elbow pad, knee pad, arm sleeve, leg sleeve, socks,undergarment, neck wrap, glove, and any other suitable wearable garment.Furthermore, the garment 400 can include one or more slots, pouches,ports, bases, pathways, channels, cradles, or other features by whichwireless sensor interfaces 110, wireless sensor modules 120, and/or oneor more control modules 130 can permanently or removably couple to thegarment 400. The garment 400 can represent specialized clothing for aparticular sport or activity, such as cycling attire, rock climbingclothing, and other activity specific clothing.

The system 100 described below can, however, cooperate with or otherwisebe integrated with any other suitable elements as described in one ormore of: U.S. application Ser. No. 14/541,446, entitled “System andMethod for Monitoring Biometric Signals” and filed on 14 Nov. 2014, U.S.application Ser. No. 14/079,629, entitled “Wearable Architecture andMethods for Performance Monitoring, Analysis, and Feedback” and filed on13 Nov. 2013, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/079,621, entitled “WearablePerformance Monitoring, Analysis, and Feedback Systems and Methods” andfiled on 30 Jan. 2014, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/699,730, entitled“Biometric Electrode System and Method of Manufacture” and filed on 29Apr. 2015, and U.S. application Ser. No. 14/724,420, entitled “BiometricSignal Conduction System and Method of Manufacture” and filed on 17 Jun.2015. Additionally or alternatively, the system 100 can be configured tointerface with any other suitable element(s).

1.2 System—Overview of Integrated Biometric Signal Interface

As noted above and as shown in FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of the system100 includes: a wireless sensor interface 110, including an electrodelayer 112, a positional identifier 116, and a retention subsystem 118 awireless sensor module 120, including a contact region 122, one or moresensors 124, and a positional interrogator 125; and a control module130. Again, as described in more detail below, one or more variations ofthe system 100 can omit one or more of the above elements, in providinga suitable interface between a garment and a mating object. Inparticular, the system 100 can include a wearable garment 400 having oneor more wireless sensor interfaces 110 to which removable wirelesssensor modules 120 can physically and electrically couple. In addition,the wireless sensor interface 110 can include an electrode layer 112that interfaces with a user's body. In one or more embodiments, theelectrode layer 112 can transmit (e.g., conduct) a biometric signal fromthe user's body to a wireless sensor module 120. Upon receiving abiometric signal, the removable wireless sensor module 120 canwirelessly transmit data representative of the biometric signal to awireless control module 120. The control module 130 can store, process,analyze and otherwise manipulate the data representative of thebiometric signal to provide one or more metrics or biometric signals.

The system 100 can provide a variety of features that provide improvedfunction, use, durability, and comfort when compared to conventionalbiometric detecting systems. For example, the system 100 can beincorporated within a garment 400 such that it provides the benefits ofa biometric monitoring system, but does so within the comfort andfamiliarity of standard clothing that a user would wear regardless. Forexample, the system 100 can include one or more wireless sensor modules120 and/or control modules 130 that may be implemented within a wearablegarment 400 without requiring straps, adhesives, or other features thatmay cause discomfort when worn by a user. Moreover, the wireless sensorinterfaces 110 can include one or more features to enhance thedurability of the wearable garment, provide customizable and flexiblewireless sensor module 120 placement, and additional comfort to a user.For example, the system can include one or more wireless sensor modules120 and/or control modules 130 that are removable and/or easilyreplaceable, thus reducing wear and tear on a wearable garment 400 andthe removable devices over time (e.g., when the garment is washed), aswell as the expense of the garment 400.

In addition to providing an increase in comfort, the system 100 caninclude various features that provide for a user-friendly system (e.g.,in terms of intuitiveness, in terms of ease of use, etc.). For example,each wireless sensor interface 110 can include a positional identifier116 that is based on a position of a wireless sensor interface 110within the garment 400. Upon a user coupling a wireless sensor module120 to a wireless sensor interface 110, the wireless sensor module 120can use the position identification to automatically identify, andinform a control module 130, which type(s) of signal (e.g., heart rate,muscle activity) the wireless sensor module 120 will be providing to thecontrol module 130. Thus, the system 100 can provide an automatic setupprocess where a user simply has to couple a wireless sensor module 120to a wireless sensor interface 110 to initiate the system 100 to startrecording biometric signals in a manner that is specific to theconfiguration of the wireless sensor module(s) and/or to the activitytype of the user.

Additionally, the system 100 can provide a configuration of wirelesssensor modules 120 in communication with a control module 130 thatenables the control module 130 to receive high fidelity biometricsignals to determine various biometrics. In particular, the system 100can include multiple wireless sensor modules 120 arranged using avariety of configurations to provide various types of biometrics. Forexample, removable wireless sensor modules 120 can have variousconfigurations to measure different types of signals such as, forexample, muscle activity, electromyography (EMG) signals, single-leadelectrocardiogram (ECG) signals, skin temperature, resistance, change ofbreathing, etc., as will be described further below.

1.2.1 System—Wireless Sensor Interface

As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless sensor interface 110 preferablyincludes an electrode layer 112, a positional identifier 116, and aretention subsystem 118. The wireless sensor interface 110 functions toremovably couple the wireless sensor module 120 to the garment 400 (orother element interfacing with the electrode layer 112), bring portionsof the wireless sensor module 120 into electrical communication with oneor more body regions of a user, and to permit the wireless sensor module120 to ascertain the position of the wireless sensor module 120 inrelation to the garment 400. Preferably, the wireless sensor interface110 is integrated with the garment 400, by means of one or moremanufacturing techniques described above, but alternatively the wirelesssensor interface 110 can be removably and/or temporarily affixed to thegarment 400 (e.g., with Velcro, as a removable insert in a portion ofthe garment 400, an adhesive, etc.). Preferably, the wireless sensorinterface 110 does not impact the comfort of the garment 400 when thegarment 400 is worn by the user, and is devoid of unsuitably abrasive orperturbing features adjacent to the user when the garment 400 is worn.Each wireless sensor interface 110 is preferably located strategicallywith respect to the garment 400, such as, for example, proximal majormuscle group regions and/or heart regions of the user when the garment400 is worn. Preferably, the wireless sensor interface 110 is configuredsuch that the garment 400 can be washed and/or worn without adverselyimpacting the performance of the wireless sensor interface 110 withrespect to other portions of the system 100, as well as withoutimpacting the athletic performance of the user.

The wireless sensor interface 110 is preferably shaped such that awireless sensor module 120 can be placed on (e.g., in, around, over,proximal, adjacent to, etc.) the wireless sensor interface 110 inretaining the wireless sensor module 120 upon removably coupling thewireless sensor module 120 to the wireless sensor interface 110. Inparticular, the wireless sensor interface 110 preferably includes one ormore conductive silicone regions (e.g., impressions, recessed portions,protrusions, etc.) that mechanically retain a corresponding wirelesssensor module 120 and electrically couple portions of the wirelesssensor interface 110 and the wireless sensor module 120. Other portionsof the wireless sensor interface 110 are preferably made substantiallyof flexible plastic, but alternatively all or part of the wirelesssensor interface 110 can be made of various fabrics, hard plastics,conductive polymers, insulating polymers, metals, or any other suitablematerial. As a further alternative, the wireless sensor interface 110can be composed of multiple fabric and/or non-fabric flexible layers,portions of which are sewn into the garment 400.

The wireless sensor interface 110 preferably includes an electrode layer112, which functions to electrically couple portions of the wirelesssensor interface 110 to a skin region of the user. The electrode layer112 is preferably flexible, but can alternatively be rigid, semi-rigid,or composed of both flexible and inflexible regions. At least portionsof the electrode layer 112 are preferably conductive so as to provide anelectrical coupling interface to a skin or other body region of a user.For example, a portion of the electrode layer 112 can be composed of aconductive polymer. Regions of the electrode layer 112 disposed adjacentto the skin region of the user are preferably substantially flat, butalternatively can include raised and/or recessed portions to enhanceelectrical coupling to the skin region of the user and to enhancemechanical coupling to the body of the user to reduce motion of theelectrode. In variations of the electrode layer 112, the electrode layer112 can include a single flat layer, a discontinuous flat layer, bothconductive and insulating regions, a tacky and/or sticky coating, apliable region, a resilient region, raised bumps, or any other suitableconfiguration. The electrode layer 112 is preferably similar to thebiometric electrode system described in U.S. application Ser. No.14/699,730, entitled “Biometric Electrode System and Method ofManufacture” and filed on 29 Apr. 2015, which is herein incorporated inits entirety by reference. In an example embodiment of the electrodelayer 112, the electrode layer 112 includes a signal communicationregion comprising a set of conductive leads, in which portions of theconductive leads are electrically coupled to the contact region 122 ofthe wireless sensor module 120, and also includes a set of biosensingcontacts, made of a conductive polymer, positioned adjacent to a skinregion of the user, the set of biosensing contacts coupled to the set ofconductive leads. Alternatively, the electrode layer 112 can compriseany other suitable biometric electrode.

The electrode layer 112 preferably includes a receiving region 113,coupled to the electrode layer 112, and which functions to electricallyand mechanically couple portions of the wireless sensor interface 110 tothe wireless sensor module 120. Specifically, the receiving region 113preferably mates to the contact region 122 of a corresponding wirelesssensor module 120, thereby retaining the wireless sensor module 120 onthe garment 400 in a removable manner and bringing portions of thewireless sensor module 120 into electrical contact with the electrodelayer 112 that is, in turn, in electrical contact with the user. Thereceiving region 113 is preferably composed of a conductive polymer, butcan alternatively comprise both conductive and insulating regions, aswell as a combination of rigid and flexible regions, or any othersuitable material configuration that provides electrical and mechanicalcoupling between the wireless sensor module 120 and the wireless sensorinterface 110. The receiving region 113 is preferably at a side of theelectrode layer 112 opposing the side of the electrode layer 112 that isadjacent to the skin region of the user. In variations, the receivingregion 113 can include protrusions (e.g., raised bumps), matingmale/female contacts and/or snaps, a substantially flat region with highcoefficient of friction, a tacky region, multiple raised areas, and anyother suitable configuration.

The wireless sensor interface 110 can include a positional identifier116, which functions to identify the position of the wireless sensorinterface 110 with respect to the garment 400 (and/or another suitablereference point). The positional identifier 116 is preferably acomponent with an intrinsic identifying characteristic, butalternatively can be a component with an encoded identifyingcharacteristic or any other suitable identifier. For example, thepositional identifier 116 can be a resistor with an intrinsic electricalresistance value that is known to correspond to a particular position ofthe wireless sensor interface 110 on the garment 400. Alternativeexamples of the positional identifier 116 include a resistor-capacitorand/or resistor-capacitor-inductor network with a known time response toan applied voltage and/or current, a passive backscatter radiofrequencyidentification (RFID) chip that provides encoded position identificationwhen queried, or any suitable active and/or passive component with aknown communicable and/or measurable signature that corresponds to theposition and/or location of the wireless sensor interface 110 withrespect to the garment 400.

The wireless sensor interface 110 preferably includes a retentionsubsystem 118, which functions to mechanically retain the wirelesssensor module 120 upon coupling of the wireless sensor module 120 to thewireless sensor interface 110. The retention subsystem 118 canpreferably withstand typical usage of an athletic garment 400 withoutfailing or degrading performance of the wireless sensor module 120and/or the wireless sensor interface 110. In particular, the retentionsubsystem 118 can preferably hold the contact region 122 of the wirelesssensor module 120 in suitable electrical communication with thereceiving region 113 of the electrode layer 112 of the wireless sensorinterface 110. As shown in FIG. 5, the retention subsystem 118 caninclude a fabric layer configured to form a pocket around the electrodelayer 112. Alternatively, the retention subsystem 118 can be configuredin a similar manner to variations and examples of portions of the mountsystem as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/541,446, entitled“System and Method for Monitoring Biometric Signals”, filed on 14 Nov.2014, and U.S. application Ser. No. 14/869,398, entitled “GarmentIntegrated Electrical Interface System and Method of Manufacture”, filedon 29 Sep. 2015, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety bythis reference. Further alternative embodiments of the retentionsubsystem 118 can include one or more straps, clips, snaps, male/femaleVelcro regions, magnets, buttons, or any suitable mechanism forretaining the wireless sensor module 120 proximal the wireless sensorinterface 110.

1.2.2 System—Wireless Sensor Module

As shown in FIG. 3 the wireless sensor module 120 can include a contactregion 122, one or more sensors 124, and a positional interrogator 125.The wireless sensor module 120 can additionally include one or more of:a communicator 126, a processor 127, a memory 128, and an input/output(I/O) subsystem 129. The wireless sensor module 120 functions to detect(measure, sense, record, etc.) one or more biometric signals of theuser, as well as to query the position of the wireless sensor interface110 by way of the positional identifier 116 of the wireless sensorinterface 110. The wireless sensor module 120 can additionally functionto communicate the position of the wireless sensor interface 110 andtherefore, the position of the wireless sensor module 120, to thecontrol module 130, as well as to perform selections and/or computationsregarding the biometric signals being detected by way of the wirelesssensor module. The wireless sensor module 120 is preferably rugged,lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and self-contained in a unitaryenclosure (e.g., watertight enclosure). The wireless sensor module 120can be contained in a substantially ovoid enclosure, but canalternatively be enclosed in a rectangular prismatic casing or any othersuitable three-dimensional volumetric enclosure. In some embodiments,the wireless sensor module 120 can have a greater number of sensors thansignals that can be output simultaneously, requiring determination ofwhich signals are to be collected (detected, measured, sensed, etc.)and/or output (transmitted, communicated, processed, stored, etc.). Inparticular, the wireless sensor module 120 can have a single outputchannel, or multiple output channels. In some embodiments, a number ofwireless sensor module(s) 120 are interchangeable with one another andcan couple to any wireless sensor interface 110. In alternativeembodiments, a subset of types of wireless sensor modules 120 can becompatible with corresponding types of wireless sensor interface 110 butnot with other types of wireless sensor interface 110, and thiscorrespondence can be one-to-one or any other suitable categoricalcorrespondence. In a first variation of the wireless sensor module 120shown in FIG. 8A, the wireless sensor module 120 couples to the wirelesssensor interface 110 via a male-female coupling interface, wherein thewireless sensor module 120 is the male entity and the wireless sensorinterface 110 is the female entity. In a second variation, the wirelesssensor module 120 couples to the wireless sensor interface 110 via amale-female coupling interface, but the wireless sensor module 120 isthe female entity and the wireless sensor interface 110 is the maleentity. In alternative variations, both the wireless sensor module 120and the wireless sensor module 110 can include male and female portionsof a male-female coupling interface between the wireless sensor module120 and the wireless sensor interface 110.

The wireless sensor module 120 preferably includes a contact region 122,which functions to bring the wireless sensor module 120 into electricalcontact with the receiving region 113 of the electrode layer 112 of thewireless sensor interface 110. In some variations, one of which is shownin FIGS. 10A-10B, the contact region 122 also functions to bring thepositional interrogator 125 of the wireless sensor module 120 intoelectrical communication with the positional identifier 116 of thewireless sensor interface 110. The contact region 122 preferablyincludes a set of contacts that interfaces with a set of receivingpositions of the receiving region 113, but alternatively can be asubstantially flat surface that mates to a corresponding flat surface ofthe receiving region 113, or any other suitable configuration thatprovides the requisite electrical communication between the contactregion 122 and the receiving region 113.

In particular, the wireless sensor module 120 preferably makes asingle-channel differential analog measurement by way of the contactregion 122 interfaced with the receiving region 113. As such, thecontact region 122 can include a differential pair of individualcontacts, each contact in the pair capable of individually electricallyconnecting to a skin region of the user by way of the receiving region113 of the electrode layer 112 or to an internal ground connection ofthe sensor. In this way, the wireless sensor module 120 can makesingle-ended (i.e., referenced to an internal ground connection) ordifferential analog measurements.

The wireless sensor module 120 preferably includes one or more sensors124, which function to detect and/or record biometric signals of theuser. The sensors 124 are preferably in electrical communication withthe contact region 122 and preferably detect biometric signals by way ofelectrical contact with a body region of the user, but alternatively candetect biometric signals that require no such contact. For example, oneof the sensors 124 can detect an electromyography signal by detecting achange in the electrical properties of a skin region of the user by wayof electrical contact, and additionally or alternatively one of thesensors 124 can detect a level of athletic activity of a user bydetecting motion data without the need for electrical contact with theskin region of the user. Various types of sensors 124 can include:magnetoencephalography sensors, galvanic skin response sensors,electrooculography sensors, electromyelography sensors, electromyographysensors, bioelectrical impedance sensors, electrocardiography sensors,electroencephalography sensors, respiratory rate sensors, accelerationsensors, velocity sensors, jerk sensors, vibration sensors, motionsensors, temperature sensors, light sensors, imaging sensors, gyroscopicsensors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors, and any othersuitable type of sensor of biometric or biometrically-correlatedsignals. In a further example illustrated by FIG. 9, the biometricsignal can be from a reference electrode, measuring the biopotentialfrom the body of a user related to ambient electronic noise from theuser. The ambient noise measurement can be combined with other biometricsignal measurements to improve signal-to-noise ratio, signal fidelity,or any other suitable aspects of the biometric signal measurements.

The wireless sensor module 120 preferably includes a positionalinterrogator 125, which functions to interface with and query thepositional identifier 116 to identify the position of the wirelesssensor interface 110 with respect to the garment 400. In someembodiments, the positional interrogator 125 can include a current orvoltage source that applies a voltage to or passes a current through thepositional identifier 116 to measure the known or intrinsiccharacteristic of the positional identifier 116, which can be, forexample, the characteristic resistance of a resistor of the positionalidentifier 116. In this example, the intrinsic characteristic that ismeasured is correlated with a position on the garment 400, enabling thepositional interrogator 125 to identify the position of the wirelesssensor interface 110 (e.g., a resistance of ˜1,000 Ohms corresponds to awireless sensor interface 110 positioned on a chest region of thegarment 400, and a resistance of ˜10,000 Ohms corresponds to a wirelesssensor interface 110 positioned on a sleeve region of the garment 400).In other embodiments, the positional interrogator 125 is an RFIDtransceiver that queries an RFID chip of the positional identifier 116and receives an encoded signal containing the position of the wirelesssensor interface 110 on the garment 400. In an alternative variation,the positional interrogator 125 includes a logic circuit that presents aset of contacts at the contact region 122, and the receiving region 113presents a set of receiving contacts that short-circuits portions of thelogic circuit upon coupling of the contact region 122 and the receivingregion 113, such that a logic output of the logic circuit is producedwhich corresponds to the position of the wireless sensor interface 110on the garment 400. Alternatively, the positional interrogator 125 canbe any suitable component or set of components that interfaces with thepositional identifier 116 in order to detect the position of thewireless sensor interface 110 on the garment 400. As a furtheralternative, the positional interrogator 125 can store a uniqueidentifier, and transmit the unique identifier upon interfacing with thepositional identifier 116. The unique identifier can be an identifier ofthe position of the wireless sensor module 120, the position of thewireless sensor interface 110, the type of wireless sensor module 120,or any other suitable identifier. In some embodiments, the wirelesssensor module 120 can self-configure which biometric signal type(s) todetect, transmit, and/or process based on the positional informationdetected (collected, measured, recorded, etc.) from the positionalinterrogator 125/positional identifier 116 interface.

The wireless sensor module 120 can also include a communicator 126,which functions to wirelessly transmit and/or receive signals betweenthe wireless sensor module 120 and the control module 130. These signalscan include one or more of: the biometric signals sensed by thesensor(s) 124 of the wireless sensor module 120, signals provided by theelectrode layer 112, additional signals (e.g., signals containing dataregarding the position of the wireless sensor interface 110, signalscontaining metadata regarding other transmitted/received signals, etc.),and any other suitable signal(s). In particular, the communicator 126can broadcast the position-based configuration of the wireless sensormodule 120 and the nature of the biometric signal being measured to thecontrol module 130. The communicator 126 is preferably a short-rangewireless communication radio (e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver), but canalternatively be an intermediate or long range wireless communicationtransceiver, an optical data transceiver (e.g., an LED/photodiode pair),an auditory data link (e.g., a speaker/microphone pair), or any othersuitable wireless communication mechanism. In some embodiments, thecommunicator 126 can transmit compressed data related to the measuredbiometric signal(s) with the frequency content of the measured biometricsignal(s).

The wireless sensor module 120 can also include a processor 127, whichfunctions to perform computational operations on the sensed biometricsignal(s), as well as other signals detected by the wireless sensormodule 120. Other signals can include signals containing data regardingthe position of the wireless sensor interface 110, instructions from thecontrol module 130, or any other related signals. Examples ofcomputational operations performed by the processor 127 include:transforming, scaling, shifting, integrating, differentiating,convolving, deconvolving, filtering, combining, dividing, adding, andsubtracting one or more sensed biometric signals and/or other signals asdescribed. The processor 127 can additionally or alternatively functionto automatically locate the wireless sensor module 120 with respect tothe garment 400 by way of the interface between the positionalidentifier 116 and the positional interrogator 125, and/or toautomatically select one or more biometric signal outputs toautomatically transmit to the control module 130.

The wireless sensor module 120 can also include a memory 128, whichfunctions to record and store biometric signals and other signals on thewireless sensor module 120. The signals can be recorded on the memory128 before, after, or substantially simultaneously with transmission ofthe signals to the control module 130 by way of the communicator 126.

The wireless sensor module 120 can also include an I/O subsystem 129,which functions to allow the user to provide input directly to andreceive output directly from the wireless sensor module 120. This canoccur with or without intermediation by the control module 130. Examplesof input portions of the I/O subsystem 129 include: buttons, switches,microphones, touch sensors (e.g., capacitive touch sensors), proximitysensors (e.g., infrared motion sensors), or any other suitable inputmechanism. Examples of output portions of the I/O subsystem 120 include:lights/LEDs, speakers (e.g., to emit an audible tone or sequence oftones), a display (e.g., an LCD, LED display, a scrolling text display,etc.), or any other suitable output mechanism.

The wireless sensor module 120 can also include a power source 121,which functions to provide power to the wireless sensor module 120. Thepower source 121 is preferably a battery (e.g., a coin cell, alithium-polymer battery, or similar), but can additionally oralternatively harvest energy from the ambient environment (e.g., a solarcell, thermoelectric generator, etc.) or the user (e.g., a kineticenergy storage device, body temperature differential thermoelectricgenerator, etc.).

1.2.3 System—Control Module

As shown in FIGS. 4,6, and 7, the system 100 includes a control module130, which functions to receive biometric signals transmitted from thewireless sensor module(s) 120. The control module 130 can also functionto query certain biometric signals or sets of biometric signals from awireless sensor module 120 based on the position of the wireless sensormodule 120 and the corresponding wireless sensor interface 110. Thecontrol module 130 can also function as an interface between a user andthe one or more wireless sensor modules 120, allowing the user tocontrol the operation of the system 100. For example, the user canindicate by way of the control module 130 that they prefer the one ormore sensors to collect and transmit electromyography signals, and thecontrol module 130 can mediate the collection of such signals based onsuch a preference. Preferably, the control module 130 is a mobile and/orportable device. Alternatively, the control module 130 can be asubstantially stationary device (e.g., a server, a desktop computer, adistributed network of servers and/or desktop computers, etc.). In someembodiments, the control module 130 is coupleable to the garment 400. Inalternative embodiments, the control module 130 is separate from thegarment 400 (e.g., as a wrist-mounted wearable device, as a head-mountedwearable device, as a mobile computing device, etc.). In still furtherembodiments, the system 100 can include a control module 130 and acontrol module 130′, which cooperatively function to control andinterface with portions of the system 100, as shown in FIG. 7.

The control module 130 can include a processor 141, which functions toperform computational operations on the biometric signals and othersignals received from the wireless sensor module(s) 120, as well asadditional computational tasks. Such additional computational tasks caninclude, for example, coordinating the one or more wireless sensormodules 120 with respect to which biometric signals each of the wirelesssensor modules 120 is tasked to detect. However, functions of theprocessor 141 can additionally or alternatively be implemented in anyother suitable processing module interfacing with or incorporated intothe system 100. The control module 130 can also include a communicator142, which functions to communicate with wireless sensor module(s) 120.Preferably, this communication occurs by way of a communicator 126 ofthe wireless sensor module 120. The control module 130 can also includea memory 143, which functions to store biometric signal data, wirelesssensor interface 110 position data, user preference data, userinstruction data, and other related data. The control module 130 canalso include a user interface 145, which functions to allow a user toprovide inputs and receive outputs directly from the control module 130.The user interface 145 can include an input device (e.g., buttons,switches, microphones, touch sensors, physical or virtual keyboard,etc.) as well as an output device (e.g., display, small screen, LEDindicators, scrolling text display, speakers, etc.) for facilitatingcommunication with the user.

The control module 130 can include embodiments, variations, and examplesof the control module described in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/541,446,entitled “System and Method for Monitoring Biometric Signals” and filedon 14 Nov. 2014; however, the control module 130 can additionally oralternatively include any other suitable control module 130.

1.2.4 System—Specific Examples

In a first example of the system 100, two wireless sensor modules 120are coupled to a short-sleeved compression shirt (i.e., a garment 400)by way of two corresponding wireless sensor interfaces 110. The first ofthe two wireless sensor modules 120 is coupled to the garment at thefirst wireless interface 110 in a superior-left torso region of thegarment, and the second of the two wireless sensor modules 120 iscoupled to the garment at the second wireless interface 110 at aninferior-left torso region of the garment. The wireless sensorinterfaces 110 are mounts substantially as described in U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/869,398, entitled “Garment Integrated Electrical InterfaceSystem and Method of Manufacture”, filed on 29 Sep. 2015, and in U.S.application Ser. No. 14/702,129, entitled “System and Method forMonitoring Biometric Signals”, filed 1 May 2015. A control module 130substantially of the form described in U.S. application Ser. No.14/541,446, entitled “System and Method for Monitoring BiometricSignals”, filed on 14 Nov. 2014, is coupled to a pair of compressionshorts that are not physically linked to the short-sleeved compressionshirt, but the control module is in wireless communication with each ofthe two wireless sensor modules 120. In a first mode of operation, thefirst wireless sensor module 120 of the first specific exampleautomatically begins collecting and transmitting a two-point heart ratemeasurement to the control module 130 upon coupling to the firstwireless sensor interface 110, based on detection of its position at thesuperior-left torso region of the garment by way of measurement of aninternal resistance of the positional identifier 116 of the firstwireless sensor interface 110. In the first mode of operation, thesecond wireless sensor module 120 automatically begins collecting andtransmitting respiratory rate data to the control module 130, based ondetection of its position at the inferior-left torso region of thegarment by way of measurement of an internal resistance of thepositional identifier 116 of the second wireless sensor interface 110.In a second mode of operation, the first and second wireless sensormodules 120 are placed by the user at a third wireless interface 110 anda fourth wireless sensor interface 110, respectively, and upon detectionand transmission of the respective positions are designated to collectand transmit separate single-ended analog heart rate measurements,referenced to an internal ground connection of each wireless sensormodule, in producing a combined two-point ECG signal at the controlmodule 130. In a third mode of operation, automatically selected by thecontrol module 130 based on the signals collected in the second mode ofoperation, the first and second wireless sensor modules 120 aredesignated to collect and transmit differential analog heart ratemeasurements, in producing a combined, two channel, four point ECGsignal at the control module 130. Depictions of the various single andmultiple wireless sensor module configurations of this exampleembodiment are shown in FIGS. 8A-C.

In a second example embodiment of the system 100, a spandex unisuit(i.e., a garment 400) includes a wireless sensor interface 110 proximaleach of the major muscle groups (e.g., the upper and lower arm regionsof both sleeves, the upper and lower leg regions of both pantlegs, thechest region, the abdominal region, the upper and lower back regions,etc.). Each wireless sensor interface 110 has a retention subsystem 118in the form of an elastic fabric pocket. Each of a set ofinterchangeable wireless sensor modules 120 can be placed in acorresponding pocket on the garment and thereby be brought intoelectrical contact with a corresponding skin region of a user proximalthe closest muscle group as described above. An integrated circuit,located in the vicinity of each wireless sensor interface 110, stores aunique address corresponding to the position of the wireless sensorinterface 110 on the garment. Each wireless sensor module 120 includes acircuit that, upon interfacing with the integrated circuit of thewireless sensor interface 110, ascertains and communicates the positionof the wireless sensor module 120 on the garment and, therefore, themuscle group to which it is most proximal. In a first mode of operation,each wireless sensor module 120 detects, processes, and stores anelectromyography signal related to the muscle activity of the musclegroup to which it is most proximal and tags the stored EMG signal withthe positional information. In a second mode of operation, the wirelesssensor modules 120 are removed from the wireless sensor interfaces 110of the garment and wirelessly synced with a smartphone (i.e., thecontrol module 130), at which time the biometric signals tagged with thepositional information are combined and processed at the control module130 to produce an overall time history of the muscle activity of theuser organized by muscle group (e.g., the muscle group corresponding tothe positional information).

The system 100 can include any other suitable elements configured toenhance electrical and mechanical coupling of a wireless sensor module120 or control module 130 to a garment 400, to easily and removablycouple/decouple the wireless sensor module 120 or control module 130to/from the wireless sensor interface 110 or other garment interface, todissipate static, to shield the conductors from noise, to preventmoisture damage to elements of the system 100, and/or to facilitatemanufacturing of the system 100. Furthermore, as a person skilled in theart will recognize from the previous detailed description and from thefigures, modifications and changes can be made to the system 100 withoutdeparting from the scope of the system 100.

2. Method of Biometric Signal Sensing

As shown in FIG. 11, an embodiment of a method 200 for monitoringbiometric signals of a user comprises: detecting, based on aninteraction between the wireless sensor module and a wireless sensorinterface of a garment, a position of the wireless sensor module withrespect to the garment S210; automatically selecting, based on theposition of the wireless sensor module, a subset of a set of biometricsignals to output from the wireless sensor module S220; and transmittingthe subset of biometric signals to a control module S230. The method 200can additionally or alternatively include: recording the subset ofbiometric signal(s) at the control module S240; providing a plurality ofwireless sensor modules, detecting the positions of the plurality ofwireless sensor modules and cooperatively selecting specific subsets ofbiometric signals output by each of the wireless sensor modules based ontheir positions S250; and selecting alternative biometric signals to beoutput by one or more wireless sensor modules based on the receivedbiometric signals S260.

The method 200 functions to dynamically and automatically modify andutilize a network of garment-coupled biometric sensors and to recordbiometric signals from a user wearing the garment during the performanceof an action or activity. The method 200 can additionally function toenhance the resource utilization of a biometric monitoring system with alimited number of input and output channels, by prioritizing specificbiometric signals obtained from certain sensor positions over others.The method 200 is preferably performed by a system such as the system100 described above, but alternatively it can be performed by anysuitable system. The method 200 is preferably performed in conjunctionwith a garment such as the garment 400 used in conjunction with thesystem 100, but can alternatively be used in conjunction with anysuitable garment for biometric signal sensing.

2.1 Method—Sensor Position Detection

Block S210 recites: detecting, based on an interaction between awireless sensor module and a wireless sensor interface, the position ofthe wireless sensor module with respect to the garment. Block S210functions to make data corresponding to the position of the wirelesssensor module available to the wireless sensor module and/or the controlmodule, which can in turn incorporate that data into other elements ofthe method 200. In Block S210, the interaction is preferably aninteraction as described above between a positional interrogator 125 ofa wireless sensor module 120 and a positional identifier 116 of awireless sensor interface 110, but can alternatively be any suitableinteraction between any suitable wireless sensor module and any suitablewireless sensor interface that results in identifying (detecting) theposition of the wireless sensor module with respect to the garment.Variations of Block S210 can additionally or alternatively includesensing the position, generating position data based on the interaction,recording the position data, storing the position data, and/ortransmitting the position data. In Block S210, an example of aninteraction on which the detection is based is the measurement of theimpedance of a portion of the wireless sensor interface by the wirelesssensor module, and the correlation of the measured impedance with a setof known position-impedance pairs. A second example is the querying of apassive backscatter RFID chip of the wireless sensor interface by a RFIDtransceiver of the wireless sensor module, and the decoding of thereceived signal to obtain the position. Block S210 is preferablyperformed by the wireless sensor module, but can alternatively beperformed by the control module, cooperatively by the wireless sensormodule and the control module, cooperatively by the wireless sensormodule, wireless sensor interface, and the control module, or by anysuitable combination of elements of the system and/or auxiliarycomponents.

2.2 Method—Selecting Biometric Signal Output

Block S220 recites: automatically selecting, based on the position ofthe wireless sensor module, a subset of biometric signals from a set ofbiometric signals that can be output by the wireless sensor module.Block S220 functions to intelligently adjust the type and/or number ofbiometric signal outputs provided by the wireless sensor module, basedon its position on the garment. In an example, Block S220 can includeautomatically selecting a subset of biometric signals including a heartrate measurement, wherein the full set of biometric signals can includea heart rate measurement, an electromyography measurement, anaccelerometer measurement, and a galvanic skin response measurement. Thefull set of biometric signals can alternatively or additionally includeany suitable biometric measurement(s). In particular, Block S220 canadditionally or alternatively include determining the type of processingto be applied to a subset of biometric signals, by the control module orany other suitable processor. In Block S220, the subset of biometricsignals can alternatively include multiple biometric signals from thefull set, e.g., a heart rate measurement and an accelerometermeasurement. Furthermore, one or more of the set of biometric signaltypes (e.g., accelerometer signal) can always be provided by thecorresponding wireless sensor module/queried by the control module.Preferably, Block S220 is performed by the control module based on thedetection of the position of a plurality of wireless sensor modules.Alternatively, Block S220 can be performed by the control module basedon the detection of a single wireless sensor module, by the wirelesssensor module itself, or cooperatively by one or more wireless sensormodules and the control module.

2.3 Method—Transmitting Selected Biometric Signals

The method 200 includes Block S230, transmitting the selected subset ofbiometric signals to the control module. Block S230 functions to sendthe sensed and/or recorded biometric signal(s) to the control module forfurther processing, analysis, and/or storage. Block S230 preferablyincludes wirelessly transmitting selected subsets of biometric signalsover a short-range wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth),but can alternatively include transmitting signals over an intermediateor long range wireless communication protocol (e.g., WiFi, wirelessEthernet, etc.), transmitting via removable storage media (e.g., a USBdata storage device is used to transfer the data between the wirelesssensor module and the control module), transmitting over a wired and/orwireless network, or any other suitable action for transmitting,transferring, and/or receiving data. Block S230 is preferably performedby the wireless sensor module, but can alternatively be performed by anauxiliary transceiver coupled to the wireless sensor module, the controlmodule, or any other suitable component.

2.4 Method—Recording of Selected Biometric Signals

As shown in FIG. 11, the method 200 can additionally or alternativelyinclude Block S240, which recites: recording the selected subset ofbiometric signals at the wireless sensor module and/or the controlmodule. Block S240 functions to store the sensed biometric signalsinstead of immediately processing and/or displaying them, though in someembodiments the sensed biometric signals can be stored andprocessed/displayed substantially simultaneously. In variations of themethod 200 including processing of the sensor data, Block S240 cancomprise storing of biometric signal data either at the wireless sensormodule or at the control module for subsequent offloading ortransmission to a processor (e.g., via removable digital storage media,a wired data link to a computing device, a data link to the controlmodule, etc.).

2.5 Method—Selecting Cooperatively

The method 200 can additionally or alternatively include Block S250,which recites: providing a set of wireless sensor modules, detecting thecorresponding position of each of the set of wireless sensor modules,and selecting the subset of biometric signals output by each of the setof wireless sensor modules based cooperatively on the positions of eachof the set of wireless sensor modules. Block S250 functions todynamically and automatically control the biometric signal outputs of aset (network) of wireless sensor modules by incorporatingautomatically-obtained knowledge of the positions of each of the set ofwireless sensor modules into the determination of which biometric signaloutputs should be output by each wireless sensor module. Detecting thecorresponding position of each of the set of wireless sensor modules ispreferably performed by each of the set of wireless sensor modules incooperation with the control module, but can alternatively be performedby each of the set of wireless sensor modules in isolation, the controlmodule in isolation, an auxiliary detector separate from either thewireless sensor module or the control module, or any other suitabledetector. Selecting the subset of biometric signals output by each ofthe set of wireless sensor modules is preferably performed by thecontrol module, but can alternatively be performed by each of the set ofwireless sensor modules or any other suitable selector. In someembodiments, the control module can have a limited number of inputchannels, and selecting in Block S250 is functions to optimize orotherwise improve the quantity and quality of unique and/or usefulbiometric signals recorded at the control module given the limitednumber of input channels. In other embodiments, the wireless sensormodules can have a limited number of output channels, and selecting inBlock S250 can function to optimize or otherwise improve the quantityand quality of unique and/or useful biometric signals recorded at thecontrol module given the limited number of wireless sensor module outputchannels.

2.6 Method—Selecting Alternative Biometric Signals

The method 200 can additionally or alternatively include Block S260,which recites: selecting alternative subsets of biometric signals to beoutput by one or more wireless sensor modules based on previouslyreceived subsets of biometric signals. Block S260 functions todynamically alter the selection of subsets of biometric signals outputby the one or more wireless sensor modules, in response to aspects ofthe original selection of subsets of biometric signals. In someembodiments, selecting alternative subsets of biometric signals in BlockS260 can be based on aspects of the original selection of subsets ofbiometric signals including the signal quality, (e.g., a wireless sensormodule originally designated to provide heart rate data may bealternatively selected to provide accelerometer data because the heartrate data is determined to be of low quality). In other embodiments,selecting alternative subsets of biometric signals can be based on userpreferences, e.g., a wireless sensor module originally designated tooutput galvanic skin response data may be alternatively selected tooutput electromyography data based on user preferences, which are inputby the user via a user interface of the control module and/or thewireless sensor module. Alternatively, selecting alternative subsets ofbiometric signals based on previously received subsets of biometricsignals can include selecting alternative subsets based on any suitableaspects of the previously received subsets of biometric signals.

2.7 Method—Specific Examples

In a first example of the method 200, a tablet computer is wirelesslylinked to an ensemble of wireless sensor modules, coupled to a full-bodygarment at a set of wireless sensor interfaces positioned at distinctlocations throughout the garment. Upon coupling of each wireless sensormodule to a corresponding wireless sensor interface, the wireless sensormodule automatically detects its position and begins collecting andtransmitting EMG data tagged with its relative position on the garmentto the tablet computer, as well as combined accelerometer and gyroscopicdata likewise tagged with the position of the wireless sensor module.The position detection is performed by the mating of circuitry of eachwireless sensor module with circuitry of the corresponding wirelesssensor interface, producing a digital output containing an encodedposition of the wireless sensor interface with respect to the garment.On the tablet computer, a three-dimensional representation of a human(i.e., the user) is rendered on the screen, complete with metrics of themuscle exertion measured at each of the ensemble of wireless sensormodules, correlated to their respective positions on the user. Therendering of the user is updated in near real-time to reflect the motionof the limbs of the user, computed from the ensemble of accelerometerand gyroscopic data collected from the ensemble of wireless sensormodules. This three-dimensional representation of the movement andmuscle activity of the user can be used to compare the performance ofthe user to past performance of the user, idealized performance of theuser or another user, or any other suitable basis of comparison. Inparticular, data pertaining to the position of the user's body incombination with the EMG data can allow an understanding of how muscleexertion intensity and temporal sequencing relates to the form of theuser, given the movement and/or position of the user during performanceof an activity.

In a second example of the method 200, a control module, coupled to alower-body garment, is wirelessly linked to a wireless sensor module,coupled to the lower-body garment at one of a set of wireless sensorinterfaces positioned at distinct locations throughout the lower-bodygarment. Upon coupling of the wireless sensor module to one of the setof wireless sensor interface, the wireless sensor module automaticallydetects its position and broadcasts its position to the control module.Detecting the position is performed by measuring the intrinsicresistance of a portion of the wireless sensor interface, producing avalue that corresponds to a particular position of the wireless sensorinterface with respect to the garment. The control module selects, basedon the received position information indicating that the wireless sensormodule is positioned at a gluteal region of the user, a subset ofbiometric signals including muscle activity signals, and instructs thewireless sensor module to measure and provide muscle activity signals.In at least one variation, the wireless sensor module detects andtransmits muscle activity signals to the control module, which recordsthe muscle activity data and may perform specific filtering and/orprocessing operations given that the biometric signal is an EMG signaland is measured from the gluteal region of the user. Upon decoupling thewireless sensor module from the first wireless sensor interface andcoupling the wireless sensor module to a second wireless sensorinterface of an upper-body garment worn by the user, the wireless sensormodule broadcasts its new position to the control module. Detecting thenew position is performed by signaling an RFID tag of the secondwireless sensor interface with an RFID reader of the wireless sensormodule. The control module selects, based on the received positioninformation indicating that the wireless sensor module is positioned atan abdominal region of the user, a subset of biometric signals includingmotion data, and instructs the wireless sensor module to measure andprovide signals including motion data. The wireless sensor moduledetects and transmits signals including motion data to the controlmodule, which records the signals, including motion data. This specificexample of the method 200 illustrates a dynamic and flexible method ofmonitoring biometric signals of a user via a modular and interchangeablewireless sensor module in communication with various wireless sensorinterfaces and a control module.

Variations of the system 100 and method 200 include any combination orpermutation of the described components and processes. Furthermore,various processes of the preferred method can be embodied and/orimplemented at least in part as a machine configured to receive acomputer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. Theinstructions are preferably executed by computer-executable componentspreferably integrated with a system and one or more portions of thecontrol module 155 and/or a processor. The computer-readable medium canbe stored in the cloud and/or on any suitable computer readable mediasuch as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD),hard drives, floppy drives, or any suitable device. Thecomputer-executable component is preferably a general or applicationspecific processor, but any suitable dedicated hardware device orhardware/firmware combination device, and additionally or alternatively,entity performing manual labor, can additionally or alternativelyexecute the instructions.

The FIGURES illustrate the architecture, functionality and operation ofpossible implementations of systems, methods and computer programproducts according to preferred embodiments, example configurations, andvariations thereof. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or blockdiagrams can represent a module, segment, step, or portion of code,which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block can occurout of the order noted in the FIGURES. For example, two blocks shown insuccession can, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks can sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention defined in the followingclaims.

We claim:
 1. A biometric monitoring system, comprising: a set ofwireless sensor interfaces coupled to a garment, each of the set ofwireless sensor interfaces comprising: 1) an electrode layer, configuredfor electrical contact with a user during operation, the electrode layercomprising a receiving region, 2) a positional identifier, associatedwith a position on the garment, and 3) a retention subsystem; a set ofwireless sensor modules, each of the set of wireless sensor modulesconfigured to be received by and removably coupled to the retentionsubsystem of a corresponding wireless sensor interface of the set ofwireless sensor interfaces and comprising: a contact region electricallycoupleable to the receiving region of the electrode layer of thecorresponding wireless sensor interface, a set of sensors configured todetect a set of biometric signal types, and a positional interrogatorconfigured to identify, upon interacting with the positional identifierof the corresponding wireless sensor interface, the position associatedwith the corresponding wireless sensor interface; and a control module,communicatively coupled to the set of wireless sensor modules, wherein,based upon a detected position of each of the set of wireless sensormodules, the control module queries a subset of the set of biometricsignal types for transmission from each of the set of wireless sensormodules.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrode layer furthercomprises a signal communication region, the signal communication regionincluding a set of conductive leads, at least a portion of each of theset of conductive leads configured to electrically couple to the contactregion of the corresponding wireless sensor module, and a set ofbiosensing contacts, coupled to the set of conductive leads of thesignal communication region, the set of biosensing contacts composed ofa conductive polymer, at least a portion of each of the set ofbiosensing contacts disposed adjacent to and in electrical contact witha skin region of the user.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein theretention subsystem comprises a fabric layer covering the electrodelayer and fixed to the garment at a portion of a periphery of the fabriclayer, the retention subsystem thereby configured to form a pocketcomprising an opening.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the positionalidentifier comprises a set of electronic circuit components whichexhibit a known characteristic when an electrical current passestherethough, and wherein the positional interrogator is configured toinduce the set of electrical components to exhibit the knowncharacteristic thereof.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the positionalidentifier comprises a wireless identification integrated circuit, andwherein the known characteristic comprises an encoded signal deliveredby the wireless identification integrated circuit during operation. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the positional identifier comprises anintegrated circuit, wherein the known characteristic comprises a uniqueidentification code, and wherein the unique identification code is readby the positional interrogator during operation.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the control module is electrically coupled to the garment ata control module interface.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein thecontrol module further comprises a user input terminal and a user outputdisplay.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein a first wireless sensormodule of the set of wireless sensor modules is positioned proximal aheart region of the user, a second wireless sensor module is positionedproximal a quadriceps region of the user, the subset of biometric signaltypes of the first wireless sensor module queried by the control modulecomprises a heart rate signal type, and the subset of biometric signaltypes of the second wireless sensor module queried by the control modulecomprises an electromyography signal type.
 10. A biometric monitoringsystem, comprising: a wireless sensor interface coupled to a garment,comprising: 1) an electrode layer, configured for electrical contactwith a user during operation, the first electrode layer comprising areceiving region, 2) a positional identifier, associated with a positionon the garment, and 3) a retention subsystem; a wireless sensor module,configured to be received by and removably coupled to the retentionsubsystem of the wireless sensor interface and comprising: a contactregion coupleable to the receiving region of the first electrode layer,a set of sensors configured to detect a set of biometric signal types,and a positional interrogator configured to identify, upon interactingwith the positional identifier of the wireless sensor interface, theposition associated with the wireless sensor interface; and a controlmodule, communicatively coupled to the wireless sensor module, wherein,based upon a detected position of the wireless sensor module, thecontrol module queries a subset of the set of biometric signal types fortransmission from the wireless sensor module.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the retention subsystem comprises a mount, embedded in thegarment, configured to receive and removably couple to an externalsurface of the wireless sensor module.
 12. The system of claim 10,wherein the positional identifier comprises at least one passiveelectronic component, and wherein the positional interrogator isconfigured to induce the passive electronic component to exhibit a knowncharacteristic during operation.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein thecontact region of at least one wireless sensor module includes an arrayof raised surfaces, at least a first of the array of raised surfacesconfigured to mate with the receiving region of the electrode layer ofthe corresponding wireless sensor interface, and at least a second ofthe raised surfaces comprising a portion of the positional interrogator,the second of the raised surfaces configured to mate with the positionalidentifier of the corresponding wireless sensor interface.
 14. A methodfor monitoring a biometric signal of a user, comprising: at a firstwireless sensor module, detecting, based on an interaction between thefirst wireless sensor module and a first wireless sensor interface of agarment, a first position of the first wireless sensor module withrespect to the garment; by way of at least one of the first wirelesssensor module and a control module, automatically selecting, based onthe first position of the first wireless sensor module, a first subsetof biometric signal outputs from among a first set of biometric signaloutputs of the first wireless sensor module; from the first wirelesssensor module, transmitting the first subset of biometric signal outputsto the control module.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:providing a set of wireless sensor modules, each at a correspondingwireless sensor interface of the garment; detecting, at each wirelesssensor module of the set of wireless sensor modules, a correspondingposition of each wireless sensor module with respect to the garment,based on an interaction between each wireless sensor module and thecorresponding wireless sensor interface, and by way of the controlmodule, automatically selecting, based on the detected correspondingposition of each wireless sensor module, a corresponding subset ofbiometric signal outputs from among a corresponding set of biometricsignal outputs of each wireless sensor module.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the interaction between the first wireless sensor and thefirst wireless sensor interface comprises measurement of the impedanceof a portion of the wireless sensor interface by way of the firstwireless sensor module.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprisingcomputing, at the control module, a quality metric based on the firstsubset of biometric signal outputs and the first detected position, andautomatically selecting an alternative subset of biometric signaloutputs from among the first set of biometric signal outputs of thefirst wireless sensor module.
 18. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising combining, at the control module, two of the correspondingsubsets of biometric signal outputs of two of the wireless sensormodules of the set of wireless sensor modules into a compound biometricsignal.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting comprisestransmitting, from a first subset of the set of wireless sensor modules,an electromyography signal; transmitting, from a second subset of theset of wireless sensor modules, a motion signal; and wherein the methodfurther comprises rendering, at an output device associated with theuser, a graphic depicting muscle activation behavior and motion behaviorof the user in near-real-time.
 20. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising at least one of recording, storing and processing the firstsubset of biometric signal outputs at the control module.
 21. The methodof claim 14, wherein the set of biometric signal outputs includes one ormore of magnetoencephalography signals, galvanic skin response signals,electrooculography signals, electrocardiography signals, andelectromyography signals.